A Learning Community for Teacher Induction

The New Teacher Center at the University of California, Santa Cruz (NTC), opened in 1998 with a mission to transform the way new teachers enter the pro fession through intensive, mentor-based induction. New teachers need an induc tion program focused on instruction and the guidance of successful, experienced teachers trained to accelerate the advancement of their classroom practice. High-quality induction programs are part of a larger scaffold that not only supports the competence of new teachers, but also builds the capacity of veteran teachers who serve as mentors to be dynamic school leaders who know how to create environ ments in which all teachers, new and experienced, can grow and thrive. The NTC's theory of teacher development emphasizes ongoing skill and knowledge growth focused on building student success in school-based communities of prac tice. This chapter describes key components of our multilayered approach to building professional learning communities that support teacher induction and teacher learning in schools.